Caribbean Island Arts: BOMBA! is designed to teach both children and teachers about Puerto Rican and Caribbean history and culture through the use of traditional music and dance called Bomba, along with other rhythms commonly found in the Caribbean. Bomba is the traditional music and dance style that developed during the Spanish colonization of Puerto Rico as a way of communication between slaves working on the sugar cane plantations on the coasts of Puerto Rico. 

Students will learn the basics of Bomba in the form of call and response, where the instructor will chant a said phrase or call, and the students respond with the appropriate answer. Students will also learn about the dance of Bomba, which is presented in the form of a game: a completion between dancer and drummer where the dancer will try to outwit the lead drummer with their movements, in turn creating their own rhythm. The younger students (pre-k to 4th grade) will focus on call and response and dance, while the older students (grades 4th to 8th) will take a more active role in which they will also perform the instruments (drums and cua) and interact with their fellow students.

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Caribbean Island Arts: PLENA CARNAVAL! is designed to teach children about Puerto Rican and Caribbean history and culture through the traditional music and dance called Plena, along with other rhythms commonly found in the Caribbean. Plena is a traditional music style that developed in the mountain villages of Puerto Rico during the Spanish colonization of the Caribbean. As slaves escaped the sugar plantations on the coasts, they headed inland towards the mountains, where they intermingled with the Spanish farmer settlers (Jibaros) and developed a style of music used to spread news, gossip, and general festivities among the villages. They will also learn about the folklore of Puerto Rico and about the mythical creatures known as Vejigantes and how they are part of the Carnival processions of the island. Students will learn the basics of Plena’s call and response, where the instructor will sing a phrase, and the students respond with the appropriate answer. The younger students (pre-k to 4th grade) will focus on call and response and dance, while the older students (grades 4th to 8th) will take a more active role playing the instruments: panderetas, guiro, and maracas, while few students will take on the role of Vejigante.

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